Fluorescent Light Sensitivity And Lupus

Even worse the reaction can trigger flare ups that may last for weeks and ultimately be dangerous to your long term health.

Fluorescent light sensitivity and lupus.

To understand the interaction between lupus and fluorescent lights we have to consider the treatments and nature of the disease. Normally skin and other cells that are sufficiently damaged die through a process known as programmed cell death or apoptosis the body then gets rid of the dead cells. At work the health and safety manager found light filters via the lupus uk eclipse support group. Within the bulbs of fluorescent fixtures electrical energy interacts with gasses to create ultraviolet rays.

It is the duty of the employer to provide these for light sensitive employees who have to work under fluorescent lights. Two thirds of people with lupus have increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays either from sunlight or from artificial inside light such as fluorescent light or both. Fluorescent bulbs contribute to uv exposure and lupus symptoms the fluorescent bulbs commonly used to illuminate our environment emit more uv radiation than you might realize. If you are affected by light sensitivity look for light shields that have nanometer readings of 380 to 400.

In lupus patients this may not be the case. If a standard fluorescent tube lighting source is shielded by a standard acrylic plastic diffuser there s rarely a significant risk for people with systemic lupus. Many experience an increase in lupus symptoms after being exposed to ultraviolet uv rays either from the sun or from. These plastic diffusers are available from a variety of companies.